This pretty town in the Tuscan hills is famous for music, architecture – and fish and chips. The town’s strong Scottish connections go back to the turn of the last century.
At first glance, its winding cobbled streets and red-roofed villas give Barga the appearance of many other picture-perfect hilltop towns in northern Tuscany.But if you spend time here you’ll soon realise that this is a town unlike any other.
Barga quite literally has a strong Scottish accent. From July 27 to August 16, the town hosts a festival dedicated to the local favourite dish – fish and chips.Every evening at the Sagra del Pesce e Patate, billed as a celebration of “traditional Scottish fish ’n’ chips”, around 300 people enjoy a fish supper at trestle tables…For anyone not tempted by fried fish, there’s also pasta and grilled meat on the menu. And there are typical Italian desserts, coffee, and beer – though some locals prefer a glass of Chianti with their deep-fried dinner.
